British heavyweight Dave Allen has said that a fight between Moses Itauma and Daniel Dubois would be more thrilling for him than the highly anticipated match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Joshua and Fury, the two biggest boxing stars in Britain, have finally signed a contract to fight this year. They just need to agree on the venue and date. But, while speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Allen said he is tired of the long wait for this fight.
“I don’t care about the fight at all. I’m past caring with it. Everything about it, I’m a bit sick of it. Just get in the ring and then I’ll be excited when they are opposite each other,” Allen said.
He pointed out that both fighters are not in their prime anymore. He noted that Joshua had to work hard to defeat Kristian Prenga in his last fight, while Fury struggled to win against Mariusz Wach.
“I’m not really bothered anymore. I’d rather watch Moses Itauma vs Daniel Dubois. That is a much better boxing contest, it’s an exciting fight. Joshua vs Fury isn’t about who is the best British heavyweight anymore. So as a boxing man, I’m more excited for that, and I don’t really care anymore,” he said.
A possible fight between Itauma and Dubois, seen as two of Britain's most exciting heavyweights, depends on upcoming results. Itauma is set to challenge Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the O2 Arena on August 29. Dubois is scheduled to defend his World Boxing Organisation title against Fabio Wardley in a rematch this October. Promoter Frank Warren has said that an Itauma-Dubois unification fight could happen in 2027.
Before his fight with Hrgovic, Itauma said his drive to win has not changed, even with the title on the line. He insists he has always taken the Croatian boxer seriously. The 21-year-old could become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion ever, after Mike Tyson, who was 20 when he won his first title, if he beats Hrgovic.
“Not really, the belts just come with the performance. With boxing Hrgovic, I was taking him serious, and now the belt is on the line, I still take him serious. I want to beat him as much as I did before the belt was on the line. Of course, it will be an honour. I’d love to be a world champion, but it’s about Filip Hrgovic himself,” Itauma said.
Itauma has won all 14 of his professional fights, 12 of them by knockout. This includes wins over Jermaine Franklin and former world title challenger Dillian Whyte, whom he knocked out in the first round. Hrgovic has lost only once in his career, to Dubois, and has beaten Dave Allen, David Adeleye, and Zhilei Zhang.
Itauma also reacted to comparisons with Tyson after Tyson's former trainer, Teddy Atlas, claimed that Itauma is ahead in his career compared to Tyson at the same stage.
“Teddy Atlas said that, yeah? To be honest, I am pretty sure Teddy Atlas put a gun to Mike Tyson’s head before, no? I just think he doesn’t like Mike Tyson and is finding a way to dim his light. Look, I don’t know, Teddy Atlas saying that, I do appreciate it. Tyson has had his career, and I am still making my career,” he said.
If he defeats Hrgovic, Itauma is expected to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez next.
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